CM seeks exemplary punishment to attackers of Arunachal boy

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Saturday sought an exemplary punishment to the attackers of an Arunachal Pradesh MLA's son, who died after allegedly being beaten up by some shopkeepers in Lajpat Nagar.

"It is not the first case when a person of certain part of the country has been attacked. There is a need to take stringent action in this case so that an example could be set. This will also act as a deterrent for people not to repeat such an act," Kejriwal told reporters here after meeting a delegation of North-East students at his residence.

The students' delegation met Kejriwal at his Tilak Lane residence in the evening, seeking justice for 19-year-old Nido Tania, who had died on Thursday after he was allegedly beaten up by some shopkeepers in Lajpat Nagar following an altercation sparked by their taunts on his hairstyle.

Tania was son of Congress MLA and Parliamentary Secretary in Health and Family Welfare Department Nido Pavitra.

"The Delhi Government condemns the incident. A magisterial inquiry was marked by the Delhi government soon after the case came into the light. I have assured them of strict action in the matter based on the outcomes of the inquiry by the Delhi government," he said.

Kejriwal also said that his government would not make an excuse that Delhi police is not under it and he along with the delegation would meet Lt Governor Najeeb Jung and demand action against any policeman found guilty during the inquiry.

"It is the responsibility of the government to provide safety and security to its citizens. We have a political will to take this case with all sincerity. Only saying that action will be taken in the matter is not enough and the government will put pressure on Delhi police to act," Kejriwal said.

He also appealed city residents to be tolerant and set an example for peaceful co-existence and harmony.

J T Tagam, former president of Arunachal Pradesh students union, who met Kejriwal, said, "We look forward to the action taken by the government. We will submit a formal memorandum to the chief minister tomorrow."

"We also demand appointment of a nodal officer from North East or a person who has experience of working in North East to deal with such incidents," Tagam added.

The Delhi government had on Friday ordered a magisterial inquiry into how college student Tania died following an assault on him and what was the response of the law enforcing agencies.